Running Pop Quiz

Today officially marks my first day of maternity leave and since I go in tomorrow, my list of things to do is longer than a marathon!  What's a girl to do...oh yeah...blog!!  I found this quiz yesterday from Michelle at Running with Attitude who linked over from Christine over at Big Dream Runner.
Feel free to play along!!

1. FUEL: Shot Bloks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy or Other?
I have been known a time or two to eat the Chocolate Mint GU as an after dinner dessert...I mean come on people it tastes like frosting!!!  My only complaint about GU is the difficulty I have getting the package open during winter runs.  Here in New England we not only wear gloves but LOTS of layers making it hard to rip and eat the GU.  However, it is worth it once it hits your lips!!

2. Race Length: 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ultra or Other?
I love the 1/2 marathon!!  I had never run one until I was training for a marathon (I signed up to run the Boston Marathon for Diabetes after only running a 5k!).  At the time it was a training run but after having Em they have turned into my favorite race!  They are enough of a challenge but training for them doesn't eat up as much time as a marathon so I don't get as much Mom guilt!

3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants or Other?
Usually you can see me sporting a skirt....NEVER will you see me running in shorts unless someone is chasing me down the street!  I honestly don't even wear shorts in my non-running life!  14 years of being a catcher has blessed me with strong legs...that cause things to ride up in not so flattering ways.  I LOVE skirts and when the temp dips down I wear them over my tights!

4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, you stick to water when you run or Other?
When I'm running it is water only....everything else just pisses off my belly!  After long runs I like to chug some NUUN or Cytomax.  This helps to ward off any post long run headache if I didn't hydrate enough.

5. Running Temperatures: HEAT or COLD?
Cold please!!  Yeah heat, humidity, and I are not friends!

6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brookes, Asics or Other?
Sacouny girl right here!!!  I bought my first pair of Sacouny Rides when I first started training for Boston in 2007 and since then I have bought 4-5 pairs every year!!  Some ladies buy purses...I buy running shoes!!  This summer I tried out the Kinvaras 3 and LOVE them too!!!

7. Pre-race meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal or Other?
When I'm not preggers (which did I mention will be tomorrow?!) it's a Sugar Free Red Bull (I know, I know but we all have our vices), whole wheat bagel, and peanut butter.  Prego running is just minus the Red Bull sadly!  This has to be consumed too at least an hour before I head out the door...since it is good the first time....not the second!

8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, never ever ever or Other?
1xper week....sometimes 2 depending on what is going on and how I'm feeling.

9. Music: Have to have it or go without it?
Since moving to Cape Cod, a lot of my running (except Wednesday nights which I can't wait to get back to running group!) is spent alone (wah!) so I find it easy to get lost in a good playlist.  I feel like the music gives me rhythm to my stride and pushes me at the right spots.  When I am running with others I am music free.

10. #1 reason for running: stress-relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons or Other?
Running for me covers so many things....it's stress relief, me time, endorphins, the thrill of competition, a way to bond...but above it all it teaches me about myself and helps me clear my head!  It challenges me and makes me a better version of myself!!